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The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has congratulated Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, following its emergence as the overall champion of the 15th West African University Games (WAUG).
Shaibu, in a congratulatory message issued on Wednesday, commended the university for its impressive medal haul, attributing the achievement to hard work, discipline and sustained commitment to sports development.
OAU finished at the top of the final medals table after securing 122 medals, comprising 33 gold, 50 silver and 39 bronze, to defeat 22 other participating universities in the regional competition. Blueprint reports
The victory highlighted the university’s performance across the games and reinforced its position as one of the institutions contributing to the development of competitive university sports in West Africa.
Shaibu praises OAU’s performance
The NIS chief described OAU’s triumph as a product of the commitment and determination demonstrated by its athletes throughout the competition.
He said the university’s achievement showed the value of discipline and investment in sports, noting that consistent support for athletes could produce results at major competitions.
According to Shaibu, the performance of the Ile-Ife-based institution should encourage other universities to strengthen their sports programmes and provide opportunities for student-athletes to develop their abilities.
He also congratulated the athletes, coaches and university officials whose contributions helped OAU secure the overall title.
The 122 medals won by the institution included 33 gold medals, which formed the foundation of its successful campaign, alongside 50 silver and 39 bronze medals.
Its performance placed it ahead of the other participating institutions in a competition designed to bring together university athletes from across West Africa.
University of Ghana finishes second
The University of Ghana finished second on the medals table after winning 59 medals, comprising 26 gold, 21 silver and 12 bronze.
The Ghanaian institution mounted a strong challenge for the top position but ended the competition behind OAU, which secured seven more gold medals.
Shaibu also acknowledged the efforts of other participating universities, commending their athletes for the competitive spirit they displayed during the games.
The participation of institutions from different parts of West Africa provided a platform for student-athletes to test their abilities, compete for honours and gain experience against opponents from other universities.
The games also offered participating institutions an opportunity to assess their sports programmes and identify areas requiring further investment in training, coaching and athlete development.
NIS pledges continued support for university sports
Shaibu said the performances recorded by Nigerian universities at the competition offered encouragement for the future of sports in the country.
He maintained that university sports remained an important avenue for identifying and nurturing athletes who could eventually represent Nigeria at national, continental and international competitions.
The NIS, he said, would continue to support university sports as part of broader efforts to discover talents and strengthen the country’s sports development structure.
His position reflects the importance of creating a pathway through which promising athletes can progress from school and university competitions to elite sports.
University competitions provide athletes with opportunities to combine education with competitive sport while gaining experience in organised events. They can also help coaches and sports administrators identify emerging talents who may benefit from more specialised training and development programmes.
For Nigeria to maximise the potential of its university athletes, sustained attention to coaching, facilities, competition opportunities and institutional support remains important.
Shaibu’s commendation of OAU therefore went beyond the institution’s medal success, drawing attention to the role universities can play in building a stronger foundation for Nigerian sports.
FUTA finishes at the bottom
While OAU celebrated the overall title and the University of Ghana secured second place, the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), finished at the bottom of the final medals table.
The contrasting outcomes highlighted the different levels of performance recorded by participating institutions during the competition.
For OAU, the result represented a major achievement for its student-athletes and sports programme. For the wider university sports community, the games provided an opportunity to evaluate performances and consider how participation could translate into stronger athletic development.
As the NIS continues to advocate support for university sports, Shaibu’s message placed emphasis on talent discovery and the need to provide young athletes with platforms to compete and improve.
The 15th edition of the West African University Games brought together universities from across the region, reinforcing the place of inter-university competitions in promoting sporting excellence and interaction among student-athletes.
OAU’s overall victory, secured with 122 medals, gave the Nigerian institution the top position in the final standings, while Shaibu’s congratulatory message underscored the importance of recognising university achievements as part of the broader effort to develop sports in Nigeria.
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